The University of California, Berkeley, has completed its final Environmental Impact Report for the 2020 Long Range Development Plan, a master plan designed to shape renewal of the campus in a way that supports key academic goals and preserves the university's historic architecture, natural beauty and unique character.

The environmental analysis was completed and released to the public on January 3, 2005. An indexed reader's guide to the report is online as well as highlights of revisions the university made in response to concerns raised by the public, both at public hearings and in written comments on the draft versions published in April 2004.

Formally called the 2020 Long Range Development Plan and Chang-Lin Tien Center Environmental Impact Report, the plan was unanimously approved by the University of California Board of Regents on January 20, 2005.

The proposed Tien Center, a two-building complex to be located on the central campus near Doe Library and Observatory Hill, is a tangible example of how the principles of the 2020 LRDP would translate into building projects. Its architectural design would respect and complement the classical forms of nearby buildings. The Tien Center would provide a new home for UC Berkeley's East Asian Library and academic programs focused on East Asia.

City of Berkeley officials, who had sued the University of California over the plan, dropped the lawsuit when a settlement agreement was approved by the city, campus and UC Regents on May 25, 2005. Under the agreement, UC Berkeley will allocate $1.2 million per year for sewer infrastructure, fire services, neighborhood improvements and joint transportation efforts. The allocation will be increased three percent each year as a cost of living adjustment. The agreement also provides a joint planning process for revitalizing the city's downtown area and promoting transit alternatives.

The campus and city of Berkeley officials released a joint press release expressing their support for the agreement, describing it as a landmark agreement that protects the city's interests while also supporting the campus's research and teaching missions.